So instead of saying ‘no palm oil’, we ask you to ‘know palm oil’. Because lots of leading environmentalists agree that promoting certified sustainably sourced palm oil will have a far more positive impact on the planet than simply boycotting it.
“Having worked on orangutan conservation for 15 years, if there’s one thing that I want people to know, it’s that boycotting palm oil will not help orangutans or their precious rainforest homes. Alongside so many conservation organisations, SOS supports sustainable deforestation-free palm oil. Whole Earth have done their homework, and made the forest-friendly choice to use certified sustainable palm oil.”
Helen Buckland, Director, SOS
“At Chester Zoo we passionately believe that we can all do something to protect and improve habitats for wildlife all over the world in our mission to prevent extinction. If you really want to help, buy products that use only sustainable palm oil.” Catherine Barton, Field Conservation Manager
Chester Zoo, a home to a number of orangutans, acts as one of our advisors on issues around sustainably sourced palm oil.
Look out for the RSPO logo! The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) was created in 2002, and one of its founders was the WWF – they’re still supporting and improving certification standards to this day. The RSPO aims to transform and regulate the palm oil industry by reducing deforestation, preserving biodiversity and respecting livelihoods. This is what’s happening on the ground:
Producers must respect workers and their conditions
Producers must protect, conserve and enhance ecosystems and the environment
The new RSPO standard ensures no primary forests will be cleared
Producers must respect local community rights and provide equal opportunities
Our organic peanut butters contain organic palm oil that is also Rainforest Alliance Certified™. The Rainforest Alliance is an international non-profit organization working to create a better future for people and nature. Farms that meet comprehensive standards for sustainability earn the Rainforest Alliance Certified™ seal. “Sustainability is a journey that requires continued commitment and focus. Boycotting palm oil hampers the progress of sustainability in the sector and could leave millions of small farmers without a livelihood, putting even greater pressure on land use. By working with key stakeholders to promote the responsible production of palm oil, we can help drive change towards a more sustainable palm oil sector.”
Dr Paula den Hartog,
Palm Oil Sector Lead, Rainforest Alliance
When palm oil is sustainably produced and sourced, it can actually bring quite a few benefits to the environment and to communities.
Just one tree can produce 40kg of palm oil every year, for a whopping 25 years – making it the world’s most efficient veg oil.
Palm oil provides much-needed jobs in Southeast Asia, lifting rural populations out of poverty. In fact, plantations support the livelihoods of 50 million Indonesians.
As well as a stable income, plantations across Indonesia and Malaysia provide access to proper schools and healthcare, meaning a brighter future for thousands.
The organic sustainable palm oil in our organic peanut butters is all sourced from the enterprising people at Daabon. They’re the first ever Rainforest Alliance Certified™ organic palm oil producers – we don’t know many people more dedicated to a sustainable future than them. Have a look at their video to find out more.
It’s time to #switchtosustainable
The debate over palm oil can be very complex, but it’s one we care deeply about. If you’ve got any questions about palm oil or the way we use it, please do ask. We hold regular forums about the subject with our partners, too – and if you’re particularly interested, you’re welcome to come along.
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